Area students return for the second year to write a column for the Times News. The column is being coordinated by Sue Ann Gerhard from Carbon Career & Technical Institute. Here is an introduction to this year’s student writers, and a foreword from Gerhard.

Sue Ann Gerhard Coordinator

Welcome back to the Carbon County Student Column. Each week students from Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, Panther Valley, Weatherly and Carbon Career & Technical Institute will be submitting information on activities, awards and the happenings at their respective schools. We hope that you will find these articles informative and interesting.

As coordinator of the “Student Column,” I am taking the opportunity to dedicate the column this year to the late Bruce Frassinelli, a distinguished journalist, educator and native of Summit Hill. Bruce passed away at the age of 84 on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.

Frassinelli’s passing left a void in the local journalism community and in the hearts of those who knew him well. His career had already begun when he was 10 years old producing a two-page neighborhood newsletter selling for 3 cents apiece to over 130 households in Summit Hill.

Having retired as editor of the Easton Express-Times and Palladium-Times in Oswego, New York, Frassinelli spent his most recent years as a columnist for the Times News.

When this column began last January, Mr. Frassinelli was so excited to see our students become involved with journalism, learning the simple rule of not missing deadlines and the basics of writing.

In the Jan. 19, 2023 edition of the Times News Mr. Frassinelli wrote:

“I was beyond delighted to learn that the Times News is giving 11 students from six Carbon County schools the opportunity to notify the public of events and other happenings at their respective schools. Sue Ann Gerhard, administrative assistant at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, is coordinating the project. I want to thank her for taking on this task, which requires riding herd on the contributors to make sure they fulfill their assignments and meet their deadlines.”

I myself was extremely pleased that a man of his stature appreciated what the students were accomplishing in the “Student Column” and how their articles and work sparked his interest.

This one is for you Mr. Frassinelli.

Enjoy this year’s column everyone.

Here’s a look at our student writers:

Gracie Heintzelman

CCTI

My name is Gracie Heintzelman, a senior at Carbon Career & Technical Institute. My home school is Panther Valley.

I started attending CCTI during my sophomore year of high school; I am attending CCTI for marketing. I also am involved in numerous different clubs and activities. I am the president of CCTI DECA, a member of SkillsUSA, the National Technical Honor Society, a class officer, and a member of yearbook, a student council member, and a member of SADD/Aevidum.

I love to be involved and always help in any way I can. I also am a co-op student at Pocono Whitewater. Outside of school, I like to do many things. I like to hang out with my friends, family, boyfriend, and dog Eva. I also love to travel and go to different activities/events.

For the past seven years, I have been doing trapshooting for a sport. I compete locally, state level, and even at the national level. I do trapshooting year round and it is one of my favorite things to do. I also love to ski. I have been going skiing since as early as I can remember. One of my favorite places to go is Bear Creek Mountain Resort. I also work there in the winter as a lift attendant. I am so excited to report all the happenings at CCTI.

Gabriella Cerra

Jim Thorpe My name is Gabriella Cerra. I am a 15-year-old sophomore, attending Jim Thorpe Area High School. Originally, I am from Monmouth County, New Jersey.

This changed when I moved to Lake Harmony in July 2019. Since then, I have found my love of reading, skiing, and watching hockey. Go Devils.

A favorite hobby of mine, upon which I hope to improve, is ice skating. Most of my focus lies within academia, but I also enjoy various extra-curricular activities, such as History Club, Mock Trial, Scholastic Scrimmage, and the newspaper.

Koy Wentz

Lehighton

My name is Koy Wentz and I am a senior at Lehighton Area High School. I am one of the Times News correspondents for my school, and I am also involved in marching band, concert band, jazz band, and county band. I am a member of Student Council and National Honor Society, of which I am the vice president. Additionally, I am one of the student school board representatives for the high school.

Outside of school, I am a volunteer firefighter for my local fire department, and work as an Emergency Medical Technician at the local ambulance association. I look forward to providing everyone with all of the current events, accomplishments, and honors occurring at the High School.

Abby Bauder

Lehighton

Hi, My name is Abby Bauder. I am a senior at Lehighton High School. I have played field hockey for Lehighton for the past four years. I am involved in several different activities offered like FBLA, School Board representative, Class Officer, and yearbook. I also help to capture photos of sports and events at the school for the Lehighton’s Tribe Pride Instagram page.

After school, I work as an assistant at Time 2 Talk Speech Therapy. After high school, I plan to continue my education in Speech Language Pathology. I am excited to be able report the news and activities at Lehighton to everyone.

Mikayla Yuricheck

Panther Valley High

My name is Mikayla Yuricheck. I am a senior at Panther Valley High School. I play/have played a variety of sports, including track and field, softball, golf, cross country, volleyball, and basketball.

Outside of school I enjoy outdoor sports such as hunting, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. When I am not playing sports or doing some type of outdoor activity, you can find me doing academic work, taking pictures for our school yearbook, writing/photographing for the school newspaper, volunteering with the National Honor Society and Panthers Step-Up, cooking, or spending time with my family.

Mellanie Marshman

Weatherly Area High

My name is Mellanie Marshman and I am a 12th grade student at Weatherly Area High School. I am vice president of my class, and participate in many activities as Weatherly Wrecker.

I am a part of the volleyball team, Student Government Association, the president of band and chorus, president of the drama club, the vice president of national honor society, and a member of FBLA.

Following graduation, I will be going to Kutztown University for music education.

This is exciting to be able to keep Carbon County residents informed of all the happenings with our Weatherly students.